Oops! Town finds it shouldn't be plowing private roads
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The Town of Wareham has announced that it will stop plowing private roads after learning the practice is actually illegal.
"If it's brought to my attention, how can I continue doing something that's illegal?" Town Administrator Derek Sullivan asked rhetorically.
It all started in recent weeks, when the town, faced with a potential need to purchase a new road grader at a cost of $300,000, was researching its obligations for maintaining private roads.
Officials then discovered that state law says that the town should not be using public funds to plow private roads.
"It's been illegal this whole time," said Sullivan, who was appointed town administrator earlier this year.
If the town is found to be breaking the law, the state Inspector General's office can take action. And in this cash-strapped town, it's safe to say that no one really wants to find out what that "action" might entail.
So, the town cannot legally plow its 89 miles of private roads come wintertime, unless one of two things happens:
- Town voters approve a bylaw that would authorize officials to spend money to remove snow on private roads. The bylaw would only allow the plowing of roads that can be accessed by the public.
- Residents who live on a private road ask Town Meeting to "accept" their road as a public way, and Town Meeting voters agree.
Each is a lengthy process — one that Selectmen plan to discuss at their July 2 meeting.
"If we didn't plow 89 miles, that would save money," Sullivan explained, "but the real issue is, it's illegal."
Wondering where your street stands? Click the link below for a list of town streets.
